Crom

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY GAZETTEER OF IRELAND, PUBLISHED IN 1846

CRUM* [sic], the demesne of the Earl of Erne, on the west border of the barony of Coole, 3¾ miles south-west of Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh.

Crum Castle, the present residence of the Earl, is a modern and splendid pile, situated at the head of a narrow peninsula, amidst the romantic and exquisitely beautiful labyrinth of land and water which characterizes the head of Upper Lough Erne.

The ruins of the old castle, the former or feudal residence, are in the vicinity.

The demesne, including the principal peninsula, several isles and islets, and belts and promontories, of adjacent land, is richly wooded with fine timber, chiefly indigenous; and exhibits to the lovers of arboriculture various gigantic oaks and ash trees, and a singularly umbrageous spreading yew.

Prospect of Crichton Tower and Holy Trinity Church, Crom (Image: Robert French)

The surrounding estate is all one sheet of beauty, exquisite in both natural and artificial feature, and altogether refreshing in the morale of its management.

"This demesne, in its general character," says Mr Fraser, "resembles the wooded islets and promontories connected with Farnham; and what is of far more importance, the comparison may also be carried on in the moral aspect and condition of the tenantry, as well as in the general improvement of the estate."

"From a little above Crum Castle, where the Erne loses the river character, till it joins the head of the larger body of the Upper Lough, a distance of six miles, the waters, from the nature of the surface, spread over a great extent of country, assuming the most fantastic and intricate outlines."

"It is only those who have sailed through this labyrinth of little lakes, or have traversed their shores, can form a correct idea of their devious windings, their endlessly varied creeks and bays, or the numerous pretty islets they contain."

"Among the latter, some are wholly wooded, others in tillage; but generally speaking, the larger are inhabited; and it adds not a little to the interest of the scenery to see the peasantry who are located on the islands or among the shores of the mainland, rowing their little homemade skiffs over the smooth waters, from isle to isle, or from shore to shore, at which men and women, young and old, are equally expert."

*Crom was originally spelled with a U.

First published in March, 2021.